2009 Acura TL Review

The Acura TL plays in a tough neighborhood, one defined by the
Germans and challenged by the Japanese and Americans. Performance-luxury is
the name of the game, and all of the world's premium automakers have a
presence. And all of the cars in the class are among the best made.
Competition is fierce, and so product differentiation and definition are
very important.

Acura's strategy is a little different. Where most competitors
have four- and six-cylinder models of their small performance-luxury
sedans, Acura has two different cars. The TSX takes care of the
four-cylinder sub-segment, while the TL handles V6 duties.

Now into its fourth generation with the release of the 2009
models, the TL is larger, more powerful, and better-equipped than ever. The
standard TL is analogous to the previous Type S, as the old 3.2-liter V6
has been dropped in favor of a 3.5 in nearly the same state of tune as the
Type S, with 280 horsepower. The Type S has given way to the TL SH-AWD,
named for the "Super Handling AWD" all-wheel drive system that makes it the
first TL to be so-equipped. It boasts a 3.7-liter derivative of Acura's V6,
with 305 horsepower, and a more sport-oriented suspension tuning. Both
versions use a wide-ratio five-speed automatic transmission with dual
automatic modes, and manual shifting in each by means of steering
wheel-mounted paddles.

The new TLis a bit larger than before, for enhanced interior
space, and its revised unibody structure is stronger, more rigid, and more
crashworthy. The The TL is still small enough for maneuverability and easy
parking, and its roomier and restyled interior has all of the accoutrements
expected in a sports-luxury sedan as standard equipment, with options
including upgraded audio and Acura's Technology Package, which, with
navigation with real-time traffic, weather, database of scenic attractions,
calendar, and calculator, could almost make the TL a PDA on wheels.
Outside, it's not likely to be mistaken for anything else.

The TL that was my test car for the past week was not the
SH-AWD, but it seems wrong to call it a "base model" as it was entirely too
well-equipped even had it not had the inclusive Technology Package. Fine
road manners, a comfortable ride, and an excellent performance by its
engine and, especially, transmission make it a fine choice, and the extra
space is icing on the cake.

APPEARANCE: Long ago, Acura styling was conservative almost to
the point of blandness. No longer, especially in the case of the TL. It's
radical and distinctive, but is also a logical development of the
previous-generation TL. Its concept-car looks are dominated in front by the
massive new Acura five-point grille, while strong shoulder lines on the
sides and pseudo-venturi panels around the rectangular exhausts distinguish
it from the sides and rear. The angled surfaces that are Acura styling
hallmarks are found in convex form on the front panel and hood, and
concavely on the top of the trunk, and convex again at the rear. With the
grille wide, low headlights and "twin nostril" lower intakes give the front
a Japanese Anime look. Chrome trim around the side windows and auxiliary
turn signals in the outside rear-view mirrors are modern luxury cues.

COMFORT: Other manufacturers in the performance-luxury segment go
for more traditional interior styling. Acura does not, at least in the TL.
It's more youthful and flamboyant. Think tuner sport-compact meets
sport-luxury. It's visually busy, with a variety of shapes, materials and
textures. Technology Package models get keyless access and push-button
starting, premium leather upholstery, and upgraded trim in addition to all
of the cabin electronics. The heated, power-adjustable front seats have
firmer padding that has been usual in Acuras, for improved comfort and
support. The rear seat has noticeably more room than in previous
generations. Although it does not fold, there is a locking ski passthrough.
The trunk is large for the car's size. The leather-trimmed steering wheel
adjusts (manually) for both tilt and reach, and has cruise and auxiliary
audio controls. Manual shifting is controlled by paddles behind the
steering wheel spokes. Instruments are brightly backlit for easy
visibility, and all controls, even those for the navigation and allied
systems, are logically designed and intuitive to use. AM/FM/XM radio, a
6-CD changer, mini-jack and USB auxiliary connectivity, and Bluetooth¨
phone connectivity are standard, as is a tilt-and-slide moonroof; the nav
system with real-time traffic display and re-routing and real-time weather
forecasts and visual doppler radar display are included in the Technology
Package.

SAFETY: Acura's "Advanced Compatibility Engineering" (ACE)(tm)
means that the 2009 TL's structure is designed and built to protect
passengers with a strong central structure and dissipate crash energy as
much as possible for further protection. Six airbags -- dual front, front
seat side, and side curtain -- are standard, as are four-wheel antilock
disc brakes with EBD and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, a
tire-pressure monitoring system, and daytime running lights. The TL is
expected to score the highest ratings for crash protection in government
and insurance industry tests. The backup camera that is part of the
Technology Package aids vision to the rear.

RIDE AND HANDLING: "Sport-luxury" means high standards of
cornering and handling ability plus comfort and quiet. Those can be
mutually-exclusive goals without careful engineering, but Acura engineers
are nothing if not careful and thorough. A redesigned double-wishbone front
/ multilink rear suspension reduces lift under acceleration and dive under
braking, and also reduce body roll during hard cornering. Torque steer, the
bane of high-powered front-wheel drive cars, is also reduced. The ride is
moderately firm, but still very comfortable -- just about perfect for the
TL's intent. Electric power steering ensures an appropriate effort at all
speeds, never too light and never too heavy. Twin-piston calipers on the
front brakes (regular single-piston at the rear) help ensure excellent
braking ability.

PERFORMANCE: Power is never a problem, not with 280 horses (at
6200 rpm) and 254 lb-ft of torque (at 5000 rpm) on tap. If the peak speeds
seem high, the 3.5 liters of displacement ensures plenty of low-end grunt,
as does Acura's VTEC variable valve lift and timing on the intake valves. A
high 11.2:1 compression ratio helps both torque and efficiency, although it
does mean a diet of premium unleaded. The five-speed automatic transmission
also helps with both performance and efficiency. In "D", it is optimized
for fuel efficiency, shifting early and holding higher gears as much as
possible. "S" mode immediately drops down a gear or two, for higher revs
and more power, and holds gears longer when upshifting. Grade Logic Control
works in both modes to keep the transmission from hunting between gears on
hills, and, more importantly, to keep it from shifting while cornering.
Sequential SportShift manual mode is available in both S and D, merely by
pressing the race car-style shift paddles behind the steering wheel. In D,
the transmission will soon revert to automatic mode. In S, manual mode will
be held until shifting to D. Acceleration is quick, and high cruising
speeds are possible -- without undue use of that premium unleaded. EPA
mileage is 18/26; in a week of 80% highway, 20% city driving I got just
over 25 mpg.

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